SABARIMALA: Thantri Kandararu Rajeevararu has said that he had not sought any advice of anyone regarding the closing of Sabarimala temple in case young women entered the temple. “I have not contacted BJP State president P S Sreedharan Pillai over the phone. I had got a letter from Pandalam Palace in this regard. Other than that, I had not taken any advice from anyone. All news that we hear today in this regard is baseless,” he clarified.

Kantararu said “On that day my phone was in switch-off mode, which can be verified by checking my call list.”

Following the court order allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, Sreedharn Pillai visited Thazhaman family and talked to them. “But on that day, nothing regarding the closing of the temple was discussed,” Rajeevarau clarified.

Earilier, Sreedharan Pillai had said during a Yuva Morcha function that Rajeevarau had taken a decision to close the temple in consultation with him. This had stoked controversy, following which the thantri himself came up with the explanation.